WTN: Oscar Mayer Belloni

by **David M. Bueker** » Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:49 pm

1991 Ravenswood Zinfandel Wood Road-Belloni - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/29/2022)
Library sale selection.

This almost smells like Port. It has the richness in the aromatics, and then on the palate there is intense bottle sweetness. It’s not fruit sweetness, residual sugar or anything candied. It’s the specific sensation that happens with wines that have been in the bottle for 25+ years. Only red wine (so far as I know) does this, so it’s nearly impossible to explain, except as red wine bottle sweetness. Along with that there is vibrant acidity which provides the counterbalance. There’s also some spice and leather which add complexity. All that said, it’s the bottle sweetness that anchors the wine, and it’s so strong that there are still years to go before this wine starts to fade away.